NovelEnglishChapter 233
Sheila couldn't take any more. Pride forgotten, she abruptly stood up, her
discomfort obvious. "Professor, Mr. Smith, I'm sorry, but my throat's really sore today. | shouldn't talk too much
and distract you from your discussion. I'll head out first."
Only then did Timothy look over at her he noticed the red tinge spreading across the whites of her eyes.
His features tightened instantly, but Ines and Mr. Smith were too busy showering Jessica with praise to even
notice Sheila's distress.
Especially the way they kept going on about Jessica's "talent”—didn't that mean that no matter how hard Sheila
worked, she'd never measure up? That was a bit much, wasn't it?
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Of all people, Timothy knew how hard Sheila had worked over the years.
Sheila offered Mr. Smith and Ines a brief, apologetic nod, then hurried away. Timothy rose after her, his tone cool
but polite. "Since we clearly don't see eye to eye, let's leave it here for now. Sheila twisted her ankle today; I'd
rather not let her go halone. I'll walk her out. Please, take your twith dinner-I've already asked my
assistant to settle the bill."
With that, Timothy followed Sheila out.
Mr. Smith just shrugged helplessly and turned to Ines. "What's your read on Tim? | get the feeling he's not
exactly thrilled about his wife taking on this role in my film.”
Ines, her gaze still lingering on Timothy's retreating figure, smiled faintly. "You're not wrong. But Sheila isn't
actually his wife-she's his aunt. Strange, isn't it, how he always seems to be the one looking out for her?"
Mr. Smith nodded, recalling what he knew about Sheila from their shared circles at Aetherion. "Yeah, Sheila's his
aunt, but they're the sage and even share a birthday. Timothy's accomplished so much, it's hard for Sheila
to help him, really. He's always been the one looking out for her. | heard once that Sheila almost lost her life
saving Timothy, and he's never forgotten it."
"That explains a lot. Sorry, Mr. Smith, | guess | misunderstood things today—and dragged you into it as well. How
do we fix this?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. Letthink about it."
Outside The Silverthread Eatery, Timothy caught up with Sheila and gently took her arm. Her eyes were bright
red, and tears clung to her lashes.
Something twisted inside Timothy. Usually so composed, he suddenly looked a little lost.
Sheila, the perfect Howard family daughter, never lost her composure in public. Seeing her like this, it was clear
just how deep those words had cut.
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"Don't take what Ines and Mr. Smith said to heart," Timothy said softly. "They just don't know the whole story."
Sheila managed a bitter smile. "Timothy, you don't have to comfort me. | heard them loud and clear. Jessica's
apparently sprodigy in animation—no matter how hard | work, there's a gulf between us | can never cross."
"Nonsense." Timothy gripped her shoulders. "If talent were all that mattered, why do people say that early
genius doesn't guarantee greatness? Hard work matters just as much—maybe more. | see how much you give,
every single day. Don't sell yourself short. Besides, this role in Mr. Smith's new film is just a supporting part. It's
not the end of the world if you let it go."
But Sheila didn't see it that way.
If she let this go, Jessica would get it.
Which was the sas admitting defeat.
"Timothy..."
She wanted to fight for herself, just a little longer.
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